https://https://uk.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/nagano-prefecture/best-things-to-do/10070001208090
Best Things to Do
Top 20 Best Things to Do in Nagano Prefecture [2025]
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Kamikōchi
4.8
/5
80 reviews
5.3
66 km from downtown
Phone +81263952606
Address: Matsumoto, Nagano 390-1516
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 day
No. 1 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Nagano Prefecture
Highlights:
Rare high-altitude large plain
Majestic mountains & stunning views
Saved by 209 users71% positive reviews
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Most beautiful valleys and rivers in Japan. I travelled many countries but this was amazing in all aspects. Superb experience. You can do it in one day but better to sleep over 1 night if hotels nearby available. I went with a bus from Nagoya a 3hrs journey 1 way.
amazing nature view .I spent 2.5hrs to walk 12km walking path.if you have time , highly recommended to spend half day in Kamikochi .enjoy the mountains and water.there is less pollution as people can drive their private car in here .
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Matsumoto-jō Castle
4.7
/5
163 reviews
5.3
Based on 3,719 reviews
49.7 km from downtown
Phone +81263322902
Address: 4-1 Marunouchi, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0873, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-4 hours
No. 1 of Night Attractions in Nagano Prefecture
Highlights:
Charming cherry blossoms & foliage
Matsumoto panoramic view & castle
Saved by 178 users106 positive reviews
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Very beautiful castle, especially with cherry blossom trees in full bloom
Matsumoto Castle was built during the Warring States Period in the 1500s as a residence for military commanders. The exterior is a five-story building and the interior is a six-story building. There are only two such architectural styles in Japan, Matsumoto Castle and Himeji Castle. The black lacquered outer wall is also very beautiful and is a precious national treasure of Japan.
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Tsumago-juku
4.3
/5
18 reviews
4.7
>100 km from downtown
Phone +81264573123
Address: 2178-10 Azuma, Nagiso, Kiso District, Nagano 399-5302, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 hour
No. 2 of Night Attractions in Nagano Prefecture
Highlights:
Cherry blossoms & autumn foliage
Well-preserved Edo-era town
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Tsumago-juku is located in Kiso County, Nagano Prefecture, central Japan. It is one of the 69 post stations on the Nakasendo Road, and is ranked 42nd from Edo (Tokyo). The Nakasendo Road is a road connecting Edo and Kyoto, and the so-called "post stations" are the post stations along the way. Tsumago-juku was once a transportation hub and was bustling, but it gradually declined due to the construction of railways in the Meiji period. In the Showa period, Japan launched a movement to protect ancient buildings, and Tsumago-juku was fortunately preserved. Today, walking in the post station, you will feel like you have returned to the Edo period.
It took half an hour to drive from Magome to the extremely quiet mountain village. We were the only ones on the street. It was really hard to find a Japanese local who was very enthusiastic about serving us. We wandered around. It was interesting to experience the original appearance of the mountain village in the Edo period.
No.
4
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Tonbo-no-yu
5.0
/5
3 reviews
4.5
Based on 343 reviews
48.6 km from downtown
Phone +81267443580
Address: 2148 Nagakura, Karuizawa, Kitasaku District, Nagano 389-0111, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 days
Highlights:
Outdoor pools at the mountainside with stunning mountain views
Indoor Bath with Outdoor Views
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I recommend the "Hoshino Tobiraki-no-Yu" hot spring in Karuizawa. You don't need to stay overnight, you can just buy an admission ticket to enjoy Hoshino's high-quality hot springs, and the cost of bathing is not high. The architecture here is very special. It is a modern building with a Japanese style as its main theme. It was designed by the famous architect Toshie Higashi and conveys the impression of an ancient Japanese inn.
The hot springs here are sodium bicarbonate springs. The water is particularly warm and very comfortable to soak in, just like being covered with a warm quilt.
Hoshino Onsen Tonbo no Yu is located in the Hoshino Onsen area in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. It is a hot spring facility famous for its natural landscape and comfortable baths. The hot spring water here comes from natural springs and is rich in various minerals. It has a very good effect on the body. Facilities include indoor and outdoor baths, allowing visitors to enjoy bathing in different environments.
The design of the bathhouse combines modern and traditional elements to create a comfortable and elegant atmosphere, allowing people to feel the charm of Japanese hot spring culture.
No.
5
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Narai-juku
4.8
/5
12 reviews
4.5
Based on 366 reviews
82.7 km from downtown
Phone +81264343160
Address: Narai, Shiojiri, Nagano 399-6303, Japan
Highlights:
Edo architecture & seasonal beauty
Edo buildings & historic town
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A place where you can travel back in time to old Japan.
You can feel the charm and elegance, and wherever you look is picturesque.
There are not only foreign tourists, but also many Japanese tourists!
It was a wonderful place where you could feel the good old culture of Japan.
In Narai-juku, you can eat your way around, and I was able to try delicious dango shops, rice cracker shops, and Nagano's specialty oyaki ☺️
It's deep in the mountains, so it might be a little hard to find.
It seems like it's open until 5pm, so if you want to go, it's best to go early.
There's only one main street, so there might not be many places to play.
No.
6
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Tsugaike Kogen Ski Resort
5.0
/5
6 reviews
4.4
From MYR 290.09
Based on 118 reviews
30.1 km from downtown
Phone +81261832255
Address: 12840-1 Chikuniotsu, Otari, Kitaazumi District, Nagano 399-9422, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-7 hours
Featured in 2025 Asia 50 - Ski Resorts
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Tsugaike was so much better for us newbies compared to happo-one. so many more choices for beginner runs and so many more choices for food. Even have 4-20 pies!!!
it was a great time thank you for everything
No.
7
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Jigokudani Yaen-Koen
4.8
/5
29 reviews
4.4
Based on 2,772 reviews
26.7 km from downtown
Phone +81269334379
Address: 6845 Hirao, Yamanochi, Shimotakai District, Nagano 381-0401, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-4 hours
Highlights:
Small museum showcases monkey ecology
Monkeys & hot springs in spring
Saved by 269 users30% positive reviews
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It's a very fun place and worth a visit. I went there with my family during Christmas in the winter of 2024. The snow scenery was beautiful, and I saw the legendary cute monkeys soaking in hot springs in the snow-capped mountains!
If you're a nature lover who doesn't like tiring vacation like me, this place is perfect. Do stay at the nearby onsen town, mosy of the ryokan/hotel would drive you to the park. Best to visit during winter time.
No.
8
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Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort
4.7
/5
5 reviews
4.3
38.5 km from downtown
Phone +81269853166
Address: 7653 Toyosato, Nozawaonsen, Shimotakai District, Nagano 389-2502, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Selected for 2 years in a row
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There are hot springs in many places, and you can enter them for free. They are very hot, but they feel good. The quality of the snow at the ski resorts depends on the day, but it is good, and you can enjoy long courses.
The scenery is great. You can buy sightseeing tickets to the middle of the mountain. The ski resort restaurant is not inferior to any other restaurant. One of the three major ski resorts in Nagano, it is definitely a good ski resort, beginners, intermediates and advanced players can have a good experience. It is more suitable for beginners. There are no big hotels in the ski resort, they are all Japanese hot spring hotels. It will be very crowded on Saturdays, but not too many people on weekdays. There are many Australian ski enthusiasts.
No.
9
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Togakushi-Jinja
5.0
/5
9 reviews
4.1
Based on 77 reviews
13.3 km from downtown
Phone +81262542001
Address: Chūsha-3506 Togakushi, Nagano, 381-4101, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-5 hours
No. 5 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Nagano Prefecture
Highlights:
Mythical dance at summer festival
5 shrines tour, 3.7 miles
Recently viewed by 1,000+ people
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Togakushi Shrine in Nagano, Japan. I think Okusha and Mirror Pond are the most worth visiting. You can get there by buying a one-day bus pass opposite Nagano Train Station. We first went to Okusha to see the sacred trees and then went to Mirror Pond on the way. Stroll in the embrace of nature and experience the natural scenery.
Take a bus from Nagano City to Togakushi. It takes an hour and a half on the way. The scenery is basically farmland and orchards, and it feels like the countryside. It is recommended to get off at Okuza. Chubu is vast, so there is no need to climb the mountain to see each shrine one by one. The essence here is the 800-meter ancient cedar road, which is similar to the feeling of Kumano Kodo. Pray for no fog, otherwise you can't see anything. After entering the mountain gate, please enjoy the refreshing scenery in front of you. At the end is a small shrine, you can ask for a fortune and buy some souvenirs, but don't make a wish. There is a soba restaurant in front of Okuza, where you can try authentic 100% soba. There is also Kumasa-flavored ice cream to satisfy your cravings!
No.
10
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Shiraito Waterfall
4.5
/5
44 reviews
4.0
Based on 773 reviews
45.5 km from downtown
Phone +81267310070
Address: Nagakura, Karuizawa, Kitasaku District, Nagano 389-0111, Japan
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
No. 4 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Nagano Prefecture
Highlights:
Experience diverse seasonal landscapes
Waterfall rainbow view platform
35% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
This is a popular spot. The slender and majestic waterfall is right in front of you, and the water seems to splash on you. No matter how hot it is in summer, you will feel a little cold standing in front of the waterfall. The nearby Shiraito Falls Exchange Village has a restaurant, an observation deck, a fishing pond for Yamame fish, etc. The facilities are complete, and the Yamame fish you catch can be exchanged for grilled fish for 100 yen each. The beautiful scenery of Itoshima overlooking from the nearby area is also not to be missed.
Japan
[Scenery] (Shiraito Falls) is located in the north of Karuizawa, with a drop of three meters and a width of seventy meters. The underground water flows down the winding rock cliffs like hundreds of white silk threads, hence the name.
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